Drive and control foe automatic



Jan. 9, 1951 v P. T. cALAMARl ET AL l DRIVE AND CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2l, 1949 m my. NM@ E w? ITM R uw. mm

Jan. 9, 1951 v P. T. cALAMARl ET AL 2,537,571

DRIVE AND CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed July 21. 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mvma @E l ATTO Fi N EY Jan. 9, 1951 P. T. CALAMARI ET AL 2,537,571

DRIVE AND CONTROL ROR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed July 21, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS PETER T. CnLeMnm Paul. F. MurzDoCK l BY WE ,um SELA ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 9, 1951" DRIVE AND CONTROL'FOR AUTOMATIC `MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Peter T. oaiamari, Deep River, and Paul F. Murdock, Clinton, Conn., assignors to The Aeolian Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation oi' Connecticut Application ll'luly 21, 1949, Serial No. 106,056

This invention relates to automatic musical instruments and to automatic player mechanisms for musical instruments wherein the' music is reproduced automatically under the control of a perforated note sheet.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved automatic musical instruments and player mechanisms of the class described. It is an object of the invention to provide improved transmission and clutch mechanisms for rotating the takeup spool during the playing operation and for rerolling the perforated note sheet on to the music roll spool upon conclusion of the playing operation. It also is an object of the invention to provide improved pneumatic controls for governing the operation of the transmission and clutch mechanisms. It is a further object to provide an improved tempo control. yOther objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been selected for purposes of illustration and description and is kshown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the transmission and clutch mechanisms for rotating the takeup spool and for rotating they music roll spool to reroll the perforated note sheet thereon, some of the vparts being removed and others broken away in section to disclose the construction more Figure 2 is an end elevation of the transmis-Y Asion and clutch mechanisms looking ltoward the right hand side of Figure l, some of the parts be-l ing removed and others broken away in section n to disclose the construction more clearly;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the pneumatic controls which govern the operation of the transmission and clutch mechanisms; and

Figures 4 and 5 are views corresponding, respectively, to Figures 1 and 2, but showing modications in certain features of the construction. In automatic musical instruments employing a perforated note sheet for governing the operation of the note striking means it is customary to 24 Claims. (Cl. 84-126) driving connection to the takeup spool is inter-- rupted and the music roll spool is rotated to reroll the note sheet thereon preparatory to remove ing the music roll from the instrument, or to replaying the selection if desired. During the re# rolling operation the note sheet again moves across the tracker bar, but the player mechanism should be rendered inactive at this time by suitable controls, so that no notes will be struck.

Referring rst to Figure 1 of the drawings, II represents a side wall of the spool box of the automatic instrument. Within the spool box there is a pair of aligned spindles for removably holding a'music roll, one end of the music roll I3 and the driving spindle I5 being shown. Also within the spool box is a second pair of aligned spindles, below and parallel to the first pair, for holding a takeup spool, one end of the takeup spool -I4 and its driving spindlek I6 being shown. The connections between the music roll spool I3 and l spindle I5, and between takeup spool I4 and use a takeup roll for drawing the perforated note sheet from the music roll spool, the note sheet moving over a tracker bar as it passes to the takeup roll. As the note sheet moves across the tracker bar, the perforations in the note sheet permit air to enter the tracker bar ports and flow through the connecting tubes to the correspond--' ing.A action pneumatics, which operate the key striking means.

Upon conclusion of the playing operation, the' rerolling operations.

y The spindles I5 and I6 are mounted in suitable bearings II and I8 in the wall I I of the spool box and extend some distance out beyond the wall as may be seen in Figure 1. The outer end ofthe spindle I5 is provided with an axial bore I9 'and Ia port 2| through the vspindle wall adjacent the' kinner end of the bore.

The outer end of Vthe spindle I6 is similarly provided with an axial bore 20 and port 22. These openings in the ends of the spindles are employed inoperating the clutch mechanisms which connectthe spindles, selectively, to the power transmission to cause one or the other spindle to rotate and turn the spool associated therewith, as will appear more fully hereinafter. Free to turn on the spindle I5 is a worm wheel 23 to which a clutch plate 25 is rigidly secured so as to turn therewith on the spindle. A coop-4 erating clutch plate 21 is keyed or otherwise secured to the spindle I5 so as to turn therewith. A slight movement of the plate 25 is permitted along the spindle I5 toward and away .from'the clutch plate 21 for the purpose of engaging and disengaging the two clutch plates. These plates are shown disengaged.

One of the clutch plates, 21 in the illustrative*` embodiment, has a narrow marginal facing of:

3 rubber or the like on its inner surface to insure a tight and good driving connection between the plates when the clutch is engaged.

It will be noted that the port 2l through the spindle wall is located between the clutch plates 25 and 21;. By applying suction to the bore I3, air will be withdrawn from between the clutch plates, thus reducing the air pressure therebe-` tween, and the atmospheric pressure acting against the outer face of the clutch plate 25'wi1l cause that plate to move along the spindle I5. toward the clutch plate 21 and engage the clutch.` If the gear 23 is being driven, the spindle l5. then will rotate. Upon discontinuance of the suction the clutch plates will no longer be held together and the driving connection to the spindle I will be broken.

On the outer end of the spindle l5 is a, control block 29. The spindle is free to turn within the cflitroli block and, as may be seen in Figure 2, the latter is provided with a tubular connection 3l for applying suction to the axial bore t9.

Movably mounted in the control block 29 parallel to the spindle l5, is av tubular brakev shoe 3 3 having a facing 3,5. of leather or the like adjacent the outer face of the clutch plate 21. Application of suction to the outer end of the tubular brake shoe 3,3 will serve to draw the brake shoe and clutch plate 21 together. This will cause a slight drag on the reroll clutch plate 2,1 and` keep the music roll paper snug against the tracker bar while the instrument is playing. As will appear hereinafter, suction is applied to the brake shoe 33 only during the playing operation.

Free. to turn on the spindle l5 isl a combined wormwheel and clutch plate 25, the gear teeth being formed around the periphery of the clutch plate.` A cooperating clutch plate 28 is secured on they spindle I6. so as to turn therewith, much as clutch plate 21 is secured on its spindle I5. Qne, of the clutch plates, 28 in the drawings, has a. narrow marginal facing of rubber or the` like to insure a tight connection between the plates when the clutch is engaged. The port 22 of the Spindle, I6. is located between the clutchv plates 2,6,1 and 28, so that the application of suction to the axial bore 2t will cause the plate 2 6 to move along the spindle until it engages the plate 25, thus completing a driving connection between the Worm wheel 25 and the spindle t6, Clutch plates 26, and 28 are shown engaged.

The perforated note sheet may be rerolled at mucnhigher speed than is permissible for play ing. This accounts .for the difference in' size 0f the.; Worm wheels 2,3 and 26 on the two spindles. It is` immaterial to the invention whether aworm wheel and its associated clutch plate are made in one piece, as inthe case of the combined worm wheel and clutch plate 26or are made separately and` connected so as to turn together, as worm Wheel 23 and clutch plate 25.

Mounted on the outer end of the spindle: lIl is a control block 30 similar to the control block 29. Carried by the control blockl 3l] is a tubular brake shoe 34 having a facing 36; of leather` or the like for exerting a drag on the clutchgy plate 28: when suction is applied to the outer end of this brake shoe.

As may be seen in Figure 2, a tubular connecf.- tion 38v is made between the suction connection 32v in the control block 3U and the tubular brake shoe 33 mounted in the control block; 2,3. When suction is applied through the tubular connection 32, as during the playing operation, it causes` the clutch plates 26 and 28 to engage each other and,

if the combined worm wheel and clutch plate 2G is turning, the takeup spool I4 will be rotated to draw the note sheet from the music roll I3 over the tracker bar I2. At the same time, suction will be applied through the tube 38 to the brake shoe 33v to cause it. to exert au drag on the clutch plate 21, thus applying suiicient tension on the note sheet to hold it rmly against the tracker bar.

A similar tubular conection 31 is made between the suction conection 3| in the control block 29 and the tubular brake shoe 34 mounted in the control block 30. When suction is applied to the tubular connection 3|, as during the rerolling operation,` it causes the clutch plates 25 and 21 to engage each other and, if the gear 23 is turning, the music roll spool I3 will be rotated to reroll the note sheet from the takeup spool I4 onto the music roll spool. At the same time, suction will be, applied through the tube 31 tothe brakev shoe 34 to cause it to exert a drag on the QllltQh plateA 28 and thus prevent over-running of the, takeup spool at the relatively high re.- rolling speed.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the clutch mechanisms of the present invention may b e selectively engaged, either to. cause the takeup spool to withdraw the perforated note sheet from the music roll over the tracker bar under controlled tension, o r reroll the music rolll under controlled tension at high speed, merely by applying suction to one or the other of the tubular connections 3l and 32.

The power transmitting means for driving the worm, wheels 23 and 2,6 will now be described. Engaging they worm wheel 23 is ay left hand worm 353, and engaging the worm wheel 26 is a right hand WormA 40. The worms 39 and 4D are secured on opposite ends of the shaft 4I in` such manner asv to turn therewith. The shaft ill-` is rotatably secured by brackets 42 to the sidewall II ofthe spool box,v in such a position that the worms 3-9 and' 4I] are in operative engagement, respectively, with the worm wheels 23 and 2.6.

slidably mounted on the.. shaft 4I. between the brackets 412, is a, sleeve to one` end of which is rigidly secured a wheelV 4 4.4 This wheel has a rounded` edge of frictional material for engage,.- ment with, av driving wheel 41.., 'I'he sleeve 4,3, which serves as a guide for the friction Wheel 4,4, is, slotted; throughout most of its lena-th, as. shown at- 45, toreceive the end ofl a guide pin 4,6,f1rmly secured in the` shaft. 4I. This connection, causes the-sleeve 43., and friction wheel. 4.4, to turn. with the shaft 4 I., while permitting limited relative longif tudinal movement.

Engaging, thefriction wheel 44. is the drive wheel 41, whichl is a disk motmtedv on the, end of the drive wheel spindle 43. The flat face Of; the drive Wheel. which engages the friction. wheel` 44 Inadei of suitable frictional material so that rotation` of the drive wheel 4.1- will cause the friction Wheel 4.4 to turn except, of course,r when. the frictionwheelis directly. on,y the center ofthe drive Wheel.

Byshifting the friction wheel guide,- 43 along the` shaft 4I it will be possi-ble to.y varythe Speed off' rotation of the shaft by any desired amount from, zero up to the maximum speed, whenA the tread of the friction wheel reaches the edgeof, the drive wheel.

This, arrangement permits precise,` tempo, con-r trol while the musical instrument is playing;V The position of., the friction Wheetv 4,4. on' the drive wheel 41 conveniently may be varied by sliding the friction wheel bracket 49 along the shaftll, the bracket 49 shifting the guide sleeve 43 and friction wheel 44 along the shaft with it as it ,moves The adjustment may be regulated in any suitable manner, for example by means of a pivoted tempo control lever 5t, one end of which is connected in suitable manner to the friction wheel bracket 49 and the other end of which is connected, as by means of a wire 5I or the like, to a tempo indicator and control, not shown.

The drive wheel spindle 48 is supported in a suitable bearing 52, within a sleeve 53, secured to the drive wheel support bracket 54. The outer end of the drive wheel spindle is connected, desirably by means of a flexible and sliding coupling 60, to one end of the drive shaft 55. The drive shaft 55 may be connected at its other vend directly or through suitable speed reduction mechanism to a small electric motor, not shown.

Desirably the drive wheel spindle bearing 52 has a slight freedom of movement longitudinally in the sleeve 53,. so that the drive wheel 41, which engages the friction wheel 44 for turning the shaft 4I, may be moved off of the friction wheel. This will permit easy adjustment of the tempo control `when the electric motor is not running. Otherwise, the friction between the drive wheel and the friction wheel might make such adjustment a little more diicult.

Desirably the button '56 which controls the motor switch is connected through the cam lever 51 and the cam 58 on the sleeve 53 so that when the -switch is in off position the drive wheel 41 will `be moved slightly out of engagement with the friction wheel 44, and when the switch is in on or play position the drive wheel 41 will be pressed lightly against the friction Wheel 44.

The tension of the spring 59, connected between the cam lever 51 and the drive wheel support bracket 54, determines the pressure exerted by the drive Wheel 41 against the friction Wheel 44.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that a very fine adjustment of the tempo is l possible and that notwithstanding the nature of selection repeatedly, all without further action von the part of the operator. Moreover, the control means, once it has been set by the operator for either condition, depends for its further operation on the covering and uncovering by the perforated note sheet of a single port in the tracker bar.

Figure 3 of the drawings is a schematic diagram of the control mechanism to bedescribed. For

purposes of clarity the suction tubes are shown, for the most part, as single lines on the drawing. Where these lines merely cross each other on the drawing there is no interconnection between the tubes. Corresponding parts in Figures 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numbers as in Figure 3, and as the description proceeds 1 it will be desirable to refer to all figures for a full understanding of the operation The reference number 92 represents the front y.wall of the player housing, against which the control buttonsy 56, 93and 95are mounted. Letv ,pushed in against the wall 92, or in inactive d position, and that it is desired to play a selection once and then to shut off the instrument after the note sheet has been rerolled. l

-W'hen the electric switch 5I is turned on by pulling out the "start and stop button 56 as shown in Figure 3, the electric motor connected to the drive shaft 55 (Figure l) will be started and the motor which drives the vacuum pump supplying suction for operating the musical instrument and its controls also will be started. The vacuum pump, which is not shown, supplies suction through the tube S2 to the junction block 63. n

Suction is supplied from the junction block 63 to the tube 64 connected to the stationary member of the clutch control valve B5. This suction is fed through the movable member of the clutch control valve t5 and the tube 66 to the tubular connection 32 of the control block 30. This causes air to be exhausted from between the play clutch-plates 26 and 28, and the surrounding atmospheric pressure causes the plates to be pressed rmly together. With this clutch closed, the takeup spool I4 is driven to draw the perforated note sheet from the music roll I3, over the tracker bar I2, and onto the takeup spool.

While the player mechanism is operating, suction from the tube 32 also is admitted through the control block 3Q and the tube 38 to the play brake 33. This suction between the play brake 33 and the reroll clutch plate 21 causes a slight drag on the music roll paper, insuring that the paper will be pressed firmly against the tracker bar during the playing operation.

When the end of the music roll is reached, the reroll control port 3T, for example the third hole from the treble end of the tracker bar, normally closed by the moving note sheet, lis openedY by a corresponding perforation in the note sheet. Atmosphere is thus admitted through the port 3T to the tube 61 connected to the stationary member of the reroll valve block 68, and passes therefrom through tube 69 to the chamber on the rear side of the reroll control diaphragm 1G.

'65.110 the reroll position. The mechanically connected reroll button 93 is thus moved out away from the wall 92. Y

With the clutch control valve 65 in this condition, atmosphere is admitted through a port in the valve to the tube 55 and connection 32, which releases the play clutch plates 26 and 28. Suction from the tube 64 is now connected through the clutch control valve 65 and the tube 12 to the tubular connection 3! in the control block 29. This causes air to be exhausted from between the replay clutch plates 25 and 21 and the surrounding atmospheric pressure presses these clutch plates firmly together to engage this clutch. Now the rotation of the transmission drive shaft rotates the spindle I5 in the reverse direction and the perforated note sheet is rerolled onto the spool I3.

:asszfsrn While the music roll is rerolling, suction also admitted from the connection 3i through the control block 29 and the tube 3i to the reroll brake v3d. The suction yexerted on the play clutch plate 28 by the reroll brake 3ft causes a slight 'drag on the takeup spool and prevents the note sheet from unwinding faster than it can be taken up by the music roll spool.

With the clutch control valve G5 in the reroll position, atmosphere is admitted through the port 'I3 in the movable member oi the control valve to the tube lll. This atmosphere passes through the tube 14, T nipple 81 and tube 1'5 to the under side of the action cut-out diaphragm in the action cut-out block, not shown. I'lhe atmosphere thus admitted to the cutmout block causes the cut-out diaphragm to .raise and cut off all suction to the player action while the music roll is rerolling, thus preventing the striking of any notes during the rerolling operation.

As the music roll starts to reroll, pin TIE vin the spindle le causes the movable member of the reroll valve block E38 to be turned to the left, as viewed in Figure 3, to the reroll position. In this position, the tubes 61 and 69 are disconnected and the tubes G1 and 'Vl are connected through the reroll valve block` 68.

The pin 16 may be mounted in the hub of the clutch plate 28. As the spindle li rotates, the end of the pin engages the free end of the thin ilat spring 96, which is secured at its other end to the pivotally mounted member of the reroll valve block 68. Pressure of the pin against the ilat spring causes the movable member of the reroll valve block to be turned within its limited range of movement, and the spring then flexes to let the end of the pin slip off the end of the spring. Upon rotation of the spindle I6 in the opposite direction, the pin 'i6 will engage the spring 96 to turn the movable member back to the position shown in Figure 3.

When the music roll has rewound so that the tapered end of the roll again uncovers the 3T hole in the tracker bar, atmosphere is admitted therethrough to the tube 5l, reroll valve block G8, tube '11, and thence through the T nipple l@ and tube "59 to the replay valve block 80.

This atmosphere then passes through the replay valve block @il at the oir position and through the tube 8| to the chamber enclosing the front side of the electric switch control diaphragm 82. The chamber enclosing the rear side of the diaphragm 82 is connected through tube 94 to suction in the junction block 63. The atmosphere admitted through tube 8| to the front chamber pushes the diaphragm 82 to the rear and through its mechanical connection B3 shuts Vofi the electric switch fil moves the Vstart and stop button 56 inwardly to its original stop position.

At the same time, atmosphere from the tracker port 3T is admitted through the T nipple 'iS and tube 84 to the chamber enclosing the forward side of the reroll control diaphragm lil. Under the pressure of the `atmosphere the diaphragm 10 is moved to the rear and through its mechanical connection 'll to the clutch control valve block the diaphragm resets this block in the play position.

While the reroll valve block @it is in the reroll position, port 85 in the movable 'member of the block admits atmosphere to the tube 8%? and through a T nipple connection ill' to the tube l5 and thence to the under side of the action cut-out diaphragm (not shown) to cut off suction to the player `action and prevent .notes being played during the time the tapered end of the music roll allows holes to be uncovered in the tracker bar at the end of the reroll operation.

If .it is desired to replay a music roll instead of shutting yorf the instrument after the roll has been played and rerolled, the replay valve block 813 is set to the on position by pulling out the replay button 95. Then when the start and stop button 56 is pulled out, the controls will function to cause the music roll to be played and to 'be :rerolled as described above, but instead of the instrument being shut yoff following the rerolling operation, the selection will be replayed, and this -cycle `will be repeated automatically until the operator changes the setting of the control buttons.

The setting of the replay valve block 8u to the on position disconnects the tubes 18 and 8l in the replay valve block 8B, so that when the `music roll has been rewound and the '3T .hole in the tracker bar is uncovered, atmosphere is not admitted to the chamber enclosing the forward side of the electric switch diaphragm 82. Hence, the electric switch 6l is not turned olif and the start andv stop button 56 remains in its outer or play position.

Atmosphere from hole 3T does pass to the chamber enclosing the forward side ofthe reroll control diaphragm il] and causes this diaphragm to move the clutch control valve block 65 from the reroll position to the play position. This causes the music roll to be replayed, and upon completion of this replaying the roll will :again be replayed, and this cycle of operations will repeat itself automatically until the setting 4of thek controls is changed by the operator.

summarizing, when the start and stop button 55 only is pulled out, with a music roll in the machine, the selection will be played, the perforated note sheet will be rerolled, the reroll controls will be reset ready to play, and the start and stop button will be returned to its oi-f position, all automatically under the ycontrol of va single port in the tracker bar. If both the "start and stop button 5S and the replay button `95 are pulled out th-e selection will be played, the perforated note sheet will be rerolled, the reroll controls will be reset for playing, and the selection will be replayed, and this cycle of operations will be repeated automatically and continuously under the control of the same port in the tracker bar until `one of the buttons 56 and 95 is pushed into its oil position.

The structure shown in Figures 4 and 5 of 'the drawings is similar to the embodiment disclosed in vFigures l and 2, except `for modified braking Ameans for the roll spindle clutches, and an alternate means for engaging and disenga-ging the 4friction disk and friction roller. Certain parts of the structure not ,necessary to the .d-isclosure of these modications have been omitted for simplicity.` Corresponding parts are `identified by the same reference numbers, and the following description of the construction and operation of Figures 4 and 5 will be limited to the differences in structure.

In the modified structure of Figures 4 and 5, the control blocks 2i) and 30 are not provided withtubular brake shoes 35 and 35, and, of course, there are no tubes 31 and 38. Clutch plates 25 and 2'! may be engaged by applying suction through the tube 3=I tothe control block 29, vand clutch plates 26 and 2B :may be engaged by .ap-

.plying 4suoi-.ion through the tube l32 .to the lcon-- trol block 30, all in the manner hereinabove described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

Mounted on the upper part of the drive wheel support bracket 54, as by means of a screw 81, are a small plate 98 and the spring 99. Secured to the spring 99 near its other end is a brake shoe |00, for example, a block of wood with suitable facing material where it bears against the clutch plate 21 under the pressure of the spring 99. f

.Desirably the brake shoe is secured near one edge to the spring 99, by a'hinge connection. For example, a staple IOI may be driven through holes in the spring 99 into the brake shoe |00, and if the staple is not driven home this will provide a hinge connection satisfactory for the purpose to be hereinafter described.

During the playing operation the clutchY plate 21 turns to the left, as viewed in Figure 5, and the entire braking surface of the brake 4shoe |00 bears against the face of the clutch plate under the` pressure of the spring 99. of the spindle I is retarded sufficiently to insure that the perforated note sheet always will be maintained against the tracker bar under tension during the playing operation.

When the clutch plate 21 turns in the opposite direction, as duringthe rerolling operation, the brake shoe |00 lturns partly about its pivoted connection and only the leading corner or edge of the braking surface will bear against the face of the clutch plate 21. The braking effect will be greatly reduced as compared to when the clutch plate rotates in the opposite direction, thus facilitating high speed rerolling of the music sheet.

The pressure of the spring 99 against the brake shoe |00 may be made adjustable to regulate the braking action. This may be done, for example, by the screw |02 extending through an opening in the spring and engaging a screw threaded opening in the plate 98. As shown, the spring 99 is bent slightly, so that normally it does not lie flaty against the plate 98.

A brake similar to that just described for the clutch plate 21 also may be provided for the clutch plate 28, if desired. However, satisfactory operation has been obtained when the brake for the clutch plate 28 applies the same braking pressure both during the playingand the rerolling operations.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, there is mounted on the lower part of the drive Wheel support bracket 54, as by means of screw |03, a small plate |04 and spring |05, the latter having secured to its outer end a brake shoe |06 bearing against the clutch plate 28. The construction is similar to that described for the clutch plate 21, except that there is no hinge connection between brake shoe |06 and the spring |05. The pressure exerted by the spring |05 on the brake shoe |06 may be adjusted by means of screw |01, in the manner described hereinabove for thespring 99 and the screw |02.

The alternate means for engaging and disengaging the friction disk or drive wheel 41 and the friction wheel or roller 44 is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. The bearing 52 for the drive wheel spindle 48 isengaged by a fork I I I secured on the movable board of a pneumatic actuator II2. The stationary Aboard of the pneumatic l I 2 is securedl to the sleeve 53 by means of a support bracket II3. A coil spring IM is secured at one end to the fork III, and at its other end to a'iixedl part of the player structure, for eg- Thus, rotationV ample, the mounting for the' electric driving motor.

Normally the spring |14 pulls the fork I|| to the right, as shown in Figure 4, and moves thev bearing 52 and drive wheel spindle 49 with it to disengage the drive wheel or disk 41 from the friction wheel 44, thus breaking the driving connection.

When the start and stop switch for the player is turned on, suction is appliedto the pneumatic |I2 through tube IIS, which is connected to the junction block 63 (Figure 3). The suction collapses the pneumatic II2, overcoming the tension exerted by the spring I I4, and the fork I|I moves the bearing 52 and drive wheel spindle 48 to the left, to press the drive wheel 41 against the friction wheel 44. v

When the start and stop switch is opened, the suction stops, and the spring I I4 opens the pneu matic, pulling the drive wheel 41 away from the friction wheel 44. The tension on the vspring II4 l conveniently may ,counteract about one half of the pull exerted by the pneumatic when suction is applied thereto. By changing thefspring tension it is possible to regulate the pressure vbetween the friction disk 41 and roller 44.

' ItA will be apparent from the foregoing description that we have provided improved clutch and transmission mechanisms for `automatic musical instruments and players. Moreover, we have provided simplified and improved pneumatic controls for governing the operation of automatic musical instruments. v

The invention herein disclosed may be variously modiiied and embodied within the scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an automatic musical instrument of the type in which a perforated note sheet is moved from a music roll across a tracker bar to a takeup spool, in combination, a trackerlbar, a take-up spool vfor moving a perforated note sheet from a music roll across the tracker bar, a'spindle for driving the take-up spool, a spindle for driving the music roll to reroll the note sheet, a clutch for each spindle, each clutch comprising a driven member free to rotate on the spindle and acooperating member keyed 'to the spindle, and pneumatic means for selectively engaging the clutches to drive the take-up spool, or to reroll the note sheet.

2. An automatic musical instrument according to claim l, clfaracterizedv by the fact that the; driven and the cooperating clutch members on each shaft are movable relative to each other along the shaft by changing the air pressure between the clutch members to engage and disengage the clutch, and further characterized by means for changing the Aair pressure between the clutch members.

3. An automatic musical instrument accord-f ing to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the clutch members on each spindle are closely spaced plates, and that one of the opposing plate faces has a continuous raised marginal portion which bears against the face of theother plate when the clutch is engaged.

4. In an automatic musical instrument of the type in which a perforated note sheet is moved from a music roll across a tracker bar to a takeup spool, in combination, a tracker bar, a take: up spool for moving a'perfcrated note sheet from a musicv roll across the tracker bar, a spindle for driving the take-up spool, a spindle for driving the music roll to reroll'the note sheet, aclutch for each spindle, each clutch comprising a driven member free to rotate on the spindle and a cooperating member keyed to the spindle, an axial bore extending from one end of each spindle to a point adjacent the clutch members on the spindle, a port through the Wall of each spindle adjacent the clutch members, means actuated by varying the pneumatic pressure in the bore of a spindle to engage the clutch thereon, and means for changing the air pressure Within the bores of the spindles to selectively engage the clutches to drive the take-up spool, or to reroll the note sheet.

5. An automatic musical instrument according to claim 4, including a controlled source of exhaust connected to each bore through the end of the spindle for actuating the clutch.

6. An automatic musical instrument according to claim 4, in which the driven and the cooperating clutch members on each spindle are closely spaced plates movable relative to each other along the spindle, and in which a valvecontrolled source of exhaust is connected through an axial bore in one end of the spindle and a port in the spindle Wall to the space between the clutch plates for reducing the pressure between the plates, thus causing the plates to be forced together by the surrounding atmosphere to engage the clutch.

'7. In an automatic musical instrument of the type in which a perforated note sheet is moved from a music roll acrossA a tracker bar to a takeup spool, in combination, a tracker bar, a takeup spool for moving a perforated note sheet from a music roll across the tracker bar, a spindle for driving the take-up spool,` a driving shaft, a clutch connecting the spindle to the driving shaft, said clutch comprising one member rotatably mounted on the take-up spool spindle and driven by the driving shaft, and a cooperating member keyed to turn with the take-up spool spindle, and pneumatic means for engaging the cooperating clutch members to turn the take-up spool spindle.

8. In an automatic musical instrument according to claim 1, in combination, a brake for each of the clutch members which is keyed t a spindie, and means for selectively applying the brakes to the said clutch members to create a drag on the rotation thereof and oi the associated spindle.

9. In an automatic musical instrument according' to claim 1, in combination, a brake for each of the clutch members which is keyed to a spindle, and control means for automatically applying the brake to the clutch member on one spin.- dle when the clutch on the other spindle is engaged.

10. In an automatic musical instrument according to claim 1, in combination, a brake for each of the clutch members which is keyed to a spindle, and means for applying the brake to the music roll spindle clutch member during the playing operation and for releasing the brake pressure on the music roll spindle clutch member during the rerolling operation, all automatically in response to the direction of rotation of the spindle.

11. In an automatic musical instrument according to claim 1, in combination, a brake shoe held under resilient pressure against the: clutch member keyed to one of the spindles,v the holding means for the brake shoe causing a large area of the brake shoe to be pressed against the clutch member when the clutch member turns in. one

Cit

12 direction, and a relatively small area of the brake shoe to be pressed against the clutch member when the clutch member turns in the opposite direction, all automatically in response to the direction cf rotation of the spindle.

12. In an automatic musical instrument according to claim 1, in combination, a brake` for one of the clutch members, said brake comprising a brake shoe, means for resiliently pressing an extended surface of the brake shoe against the clutch member when the latter turns in one direction, and a hinge connection` between the brake shoe and the said means, whereby the brake shoe turns partially about the hinge connection when the clutch member turns in they opposite direction, to disengage most of the brake shoe surface from the clutch member.

13. In an automatic musical instrument of the type in which a perforated note sheet is moved from a music roll across a tracker bar to a takeup spool, in combination, a tracker bar, a takeupspool for moving a perforated note sheet from a music roll across the tracker bar, clutch-controlled means for driving the take-up spool, clutch-controlled means ier driving the music roll to reroll the note sheet, a brake for the music roll, a brake for the take-up spool, pneumatic means for selectiveiy engaging the clutches either to drive the take-up spool or to reroll the note sheet, and means for automatically applying the brake to the music roll when the take-up spool is being driven, and for automatically applying the brake to the take-up spool when the note sheet is being rerolled.

le. In an automatic player mechanism for a musical instrument of the type in which a perforated note sheet is moved from a music roll across a tracker bar to a take-up spool, in combination, a tracker bar, means for driving the take-up spool., means for driving the music roll to reroll the note sheet, a replay control, means controlled by a port in the tracker bar which is exposed to the atmosphere by a perforation in the note sheet at the end of the playing operation t0 actuate the driving means for the music roll to cause the note sheet to be rerolled, and means controlled by exposure of the same port at the end of the rerolling operation to shut off the reroll mechanism and either actuate the means for driving the take-up spool and cause the note sheet to be replayed, or shut off. the player mechanism, depending upon the setting of the replay control,

15. In an automatic player mechanism for a musical instrument in Which a preforated note sheet is moved from a music roll across a tracker bar to a take-up spool, in combination, a reroll valve block, means for automatically setting the reroll valve block in one position during the playing operation and in another position during the rerolling operation, means controlled by the admission of air through a port in the tracker bar and through the reroll valve block when in the nrst position to set the reroll mechanism into operation, and means controlled by the admission of air through the same tracker bar port and through the reroll valve block when in the second position to turn off the reroll mechanism.

16'. In an automatic player mechanism for a musical instrument according to claim 15, in combination, means actuated by rotation of the driving spindle for the take-up spool during the playing operation` to set the reroll valve block into position so that it will start the reroll mech,- anism When the said tracker bar port is uncovered by the perforated note sheet, and actuated by rotation of the driving spindle during the rerolling operation to set the reroll valve block into position to turn oi the reroll mechanism whenu the said tracker bar port is again uncovered by the perforated note sheet.

17. An automatic player mechanism for a musical instrument according to claim 16, in which the said means for changing the setting of the reroll valve block comprises a pin extending transversely through the driving spindle and a at spring secured to the movable member of the reroll valve block, the pin andthe spring be-y ing so located relative to each other than the pin engages the spring during every turn of the spindle.

18. In an automatic player mechanism for a musical instrument according to claim 15, and in which the music roll and take-up spool are supported by pairs of aligned spindles, in combination, a pin fixed transversely in one of the spindles, a light flat spring secured by one end to the movable member of the reroll valve block, the parts being so arranged relative to each other that upon rotation of thespindle an end of the pin xed therein will engage the spring and slide off the free end thereof,y moving the reroll valve block to one of its aforesaid positions, depending on the direction of rotation of the spindle, provided the valve block has not already been moved to this position by the pin and spring.

19. In an automatic player mechanism for a musical instrument of the type in which a perforated note sheet is moved from a music roll across a tracker bar to a take-up roll, in combination, a tracker bar, a take-up spool for moving a perforated note sheet from a music roll across the tracker bar, .driving means, power transmitting means for connecting the driving means to the take-up spool during the playing operation, and to the music roll to reroll the note sheet, said power transmitting means including a disk and roller friction drive, and a tempo control for varying the speed of the take-up roll during the playing operation, said tempo control comprising means for varying the position of the roller radially on the disk.

20. An automatic player mechanism according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that the disk and roller friction drive includes a friction faced disk secured on one end of a driving shaft and resiliently pressed against a friction-rimmed roller Wheel mounted on a driven shaft, and means for adjusting the friction-rimmed roller Wheel `by minute increments along a radius of the disk from its center to its edge to vary the speed of rotation of the rolls.

21. An automatic player mechanism according to claim 19, including, in combination, means for automatically separating the friction disk and roller slightly when the player mechanism is turned 01T, so as to facilitate setting the tempo control prior to starting the player.

22. An automatic player mechanism according to claim 19, including, in combination, pneumatic means for resiliently pressing the disk against the roller of the friction drive.

23. An automatic player mechanism according to claim 19, including, in combination, pneumatic means for resiliently pressing the disk against the roller of the friction drive When the player mechanism is operating, and a spring for separating the disk and roller when the player mechanism is not in operation.

24. An automatic player mechanism according to claim 19, including, in combination, means continuously tending to separatethe disk'and roller, and means effective when the player mechanism is operating to' overcome the'flrst means and to cause the disk kand roller to be resiliently engaged with each other in driving relation. l'

PETER T. CALAMARI. PAUL F. MURDOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date l 1,939,181 McCash et al Dec. 12, 1933 2,091,756 Fodor Aug. 31, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 296,592 Great Britain Sept. 6, 1928 

